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Naturopathic medicine is a comprehensive, holistic, and individualised approach to maintaining and achieving health, as well as treating illness. Naturopathic medicine relies not only on hundreds of years of medical tradition, but it also incorporates the latest of related medical research. (The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors – http://www.cand.ca
Canadian-trained licensed naturopathic doctors use nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, nutrition, homeopathy, and lifestyle counseling to treat the whole person.
Clinical Nutrition
Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods is a cornerstone of good health. Food intolerances, deficiencies, dietary imbalances or nutritional excesses have been associated with many medical conditions. The impact of diet on health is enormous. With appropriate long-term dietary modification and appropriate use of nutritional supplements, health concerns can be treated with fewer complications and side effects.
Botanical Medicine
Medicinal plants have been, and will continue to be a valuable part of health care. These plants and plant substances are highly effective and safe in the right dosage, when used correctly with other herbs and treatments, and when considered in relation to any medications you might be taking. Herbs can be prepared in many forms - teas, tinctures or capsules. . Canadian-trained licensed naturopathic doctors are extensively trained in both the art and science of botanical medicine.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic medicine has a history more than 200 years old. Homeopathic remedies are made from specific dilutions of plant, animal and mineral substances. When carefully matched to the patient they are able to affect the body's "vital force" and to stimulate the body's innate healing forces on both the physical and emotional levels, with few side effects.
Acupuncture
The WHO (World Health Organization) recognizes acupuncture as the most cost effective and reliable method of currently available pain management. Acupuncture is the use of very thin sterilized disposable needles inserted into specific points, avoiding any key body structures, to stimulate nerves and muscles. The practice of acupuncture has been in existence for over two thousand years and has proven to be very effective especially for pain relief and chronic illness.
Physical Medicine
Physical medicine is a hands-on approach to assessing your body mechanics -- how you use your body at work and home. Treatments can include soft tissue work (including therapeutic massage), naturopathic manipulation of muscle, bone or the spine, hydrotherapy (water) techniques, heat, gentle electrical impulses, ultrasound, exercise, and ergonomic assessment of your work areas.
Prevention and Lifestyle Counseling
Mental attitudes and emotional states are important elements in health, both good and bad. Having a clear picture of what you want from life and developing an attainable plan to reach your goals is a key part of your visit. Identifying and addressing the impact that stress and lifestyle have on health is an important aspect of naturopathic treatment. I work with you, and counsel on diet, lifestyle, reducing specific stressors, exercise, relaxation techniques, and occupational or environmental hazards.
What are the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine?
- First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
The chosen treatments and therapies are safe and effective to increase health and decrease harmful side effects.
- The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
The goal of naturopathic medicine is to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing abilities of the body, mind and spirit and to prevent further disease from occurring.
- Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
Determine and treat the underlying cause of disease.
- Treat the Whole Person
In treating the cause of any condition, not only are the physical symptoms taken into account, but careful attention is also given to mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual and other factors.
- Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
The role of a Naturopathic doctor is to be a facilitator of good health, providing clients with the tools to understand health, illness, and the benefits of self-directed own good health.
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
The principles of naturopathic medicine intertwine to create a proactive health model. The healthier you are as a well person, the less likely you are to become ill, and if you do become ill, the better your body will be able to cope with illness.
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